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How much of this is the latest attitude of some sub groups of Adventists to scare us into joining their movement. They have a history of "There are two movements, we are the true and so and so is false and if you are not with us then Satan is deceiving you with...." what ever their current flavor is. We need to be careful, but we have to be aware that Satan attacks us from both outside but also from very conservative approaches that we end up trusting out of fear of them out there.

That makes no sense.

Native Cubans could move to the big leagues without dealing much in politics, secrecy and defection six decades ago. Cuban baseball talent was highly regarded and increasingly desirable. Not coincidentally, Minnie Minoso was at the forefront of the international game then. His baseball skills caught the eye. His distinctive name caught the ear. And his warm and engaging personality made him an uncommonly popular figure anywhere he played -- no, anywhere he went -- and helped forge a legacy that, to this day, prompts baseball folks to smile. http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/110808820?partnerId=ed-8983323-779725833

One afternoon, little Moishie Brown was sitting at the table with his mother and sister when he declared, “When I grow up, I’m going to marry you, Mommy.” “You can’t marry your own mother,” said his older sister. “Says who?” asked Moishie. “Says Hashem,” said his sister. “Fine,” says Moishie. “Then I’ll marry you.” “You can’t marry me either.” “Says who?” asked Moishe “Says Hashem,” she replied. Moishie looked confused, so his mother added, “You can’t marry someone in your own family. Hashem says.” “You mean, Hashem want me to marry a total stranger?!” he cried.

January 12, 2013 Things We Know "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:4) In these days of relativism, situational ethics, and changing mores, it does a Christian good to note the many things in Scripture we can know, things we can count on, things that do not change. Following is a sampling of such truths, with little comment, intended to encourage the reader to extend the list, perhaps as an ongoing project. We can know that Christ is God: "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). We can know that we are saved: "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). We can know we are His dear children: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God" (1 John 3:2). We can know His protection: "And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28). We can know He answers prayer: "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14). We can know He will help us through temptation: "In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). We can know how we should act: "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done" (John 13:15). We can know He desires us to speak on His behalf: "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). We can know that He will come again: "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3). We can know of our eternal rewards, as in today's verse: "An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). JDM January 13, 2013 If So Be "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:3) The little phrase "if so be" (Greek ei per) is used four times in the New Testament, each time setting forth a vital spiritual result established on the basis of a vital spiritual premise. The premise in today's verse is that a new Christian has truly experienced the saving grace of Christ. The result will be that these "newborn babes" will truly "desire the sincere milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2). The "word" (Greek logikos) is always both pure and reasonable. Then, "ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you" (Romans 8:9). When a person truly receives Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells his body, and the result is that he will henceforth live in the guidance of the Spirit instead of the flesh. But this life in the Spirit will necessarily entail suffering for the sake of Christ, and this is the premise that assures our future inheritance and glorification. The indwelling Spirit bears witness that we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:17). Finally, our future resurrection is assured by the certainty of the bodily resurrection of Christ. "We have testified of God," Paul says, "that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not" (1 Corinthians 15:15). Christ's resurrection is proved as well as any historical fact has ever been proved, so the dead surely rise also. These "if-so-be's" of Scripture, although seemingly expressed in the form of conditions, actually speak great assurances. The true Christian life is one of thirst for the logical words of God, guidance by the indwelling Spirit of God, certainty of future resurrection, and anticipation of a glorious inheritance in Christ. HMM

Challenging The Existence of God Christian author Graham Veale challenges the popular arguments of New Atheists in his book, New Atheism: A Survival Guide . Here are seven things atheists misunderstand about God. Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Galleries/7-Things-Atheists-Get-Wrong-About-God.aspx#ZlwIAbxaLWtHHAYc.99

How to "keep peace" with others of your faith family, while also asking questions, and growing in understanding. Is it more important to "keep peace", than it is to ask questions and seek to grow in understanding. I live in a small town, with LOTS of churches. Mostly Baptist, but also Catholic, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Episcopal, Spanish speaking SDA, and several non-denominational. There's also a "Cowboy Church". Most folks are soooo afraid of loosing their social support group, that they remain afraid to question the tenants of their respective congregations. They believe that they have done what is necessary to "be saved". They believe in God, and believe that Jesus was/is God's "only begotten Son", and they try to "love one another". That is all they believe is necessary in order to be saved, so why risk the loss of ones support group? And really, how can I tell them any different - concerning salvation? It is only the RARE person, who is seeking answers to questions concerning God - HIs nature, how He manifests, why He allowed evil, what He will do with human beings who never heard of Him, what He really wants from us, etc. etc. etc. I am very thankful for this forum. Here I find people who WANT to explore the questions, who do not shrink from difficult questions. Who do not shun those who disagree. There is the occasional person who turns a discussion/debate into a school-yard contest, demanding the other "Admit you are wrong." I think we are practicing "PEACE" here on this forum, while we discuss very controversial issues. I always pray for those I "reply" to, and for those who "reply" to me. Shalom, Rachel Cory

Comment on Rachel: Rachel and I disagree on many things, but not on everything. Some of the things on which we disagree, are of much less importance than are other things. Rachel has put more energy and effort into the study of her beliefs than have many of the other people who post here. She is sincere and she is open to considering opposing viewpoints. She is both forceful and appropriate in presenting her views. I welcome her here to this forum. I will defend her presence here, not because of any right that she has, but because of her behavior here. She has set the standard for how people should behave who come here and challenge us.

Chaim Yankel made some terrible decisions early on in life that landed him in prison. After 12 years behind bars, he feels like he just can’t take it anymore, and decides to break out. When he gets home, filthy and exhausted, his wife Rachel takes one look at him and says, “Where have you been? You escaped eight hours ago!”

Daniel 12:1 is abundantly clear that Michael and Jesus are one and the same because its impossible for a created angel to stand for the people of God, a job which belongs ONLY to Jesus. Hence, the conclusion that Michael is not Jesus is totally discredited regardless of any other verses in Hebrews or elsewhere that appears to provide a contradiction. The word angel in those verses in Hebrews refers to a created being, which Jesus is not for he is divinity. But he clearly has a role as an angel as is revealed repeatedly in the Old Testament. For example, in the story in Genesis 16 about the maid of Sarah, Hagar, she ran away into the desert. According to the story, the angel of the Lord came to her and asked her what she was doing there. In the conversation that followed, its clear that the angel which came is none other than Christ because he says to her that "I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, that they shall not be numbered for multitude." Note how he says this because he did NOT say "The Lord will multiply...." No, instead he says "I will multiply...." He could not have used the word "I" unless he is God, but he is clearly referred to as an angel in the story. Hagar clearly understood that she had seen God (Jesus) because of her statement in verse 13, which was, "And she called the name of the LORD that spoke unto her, You God, see me: for she said, Have I also here seen him that sees me?" So, it is clear that in some cases, Jesus can be referred to as an angel. Thus, to harmonize Genesis 16 with Hebrews 1:5,13; 2:5, the only way that it can harmonize is for the word angel in Hebrews to refer to a nondivine being, whereas in Genesis 16, it does refer to a divine being. Thus, the definition that an angel is merely a messenger remains true, but it does NOT define it an nondivine automatically no do the verses in Hebrews exclude Jesus as Michael. The immediate context and the whole Bible makes this abundantly clear. Your claim is clearly false. But I suspect you will remain of the same opinion still regardless of the facts.

No! Why? There was no death that marred God's creation. Nothing harmed. There was no "dog-eat-dog" principle until it was introduced by Satan at the tree of the knowledge of good & evil.

If one believes in Theistic Evolution, then yes, God brought about humanity through this process. If one believes in creation, as taught throughout the Bible, then no, fallen Lucifer invented this principle and therefore it is satanic.